Elsevier, TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Volume 110, January 2019
Microplastics are widespread contaminants, virtually present in all environmental compartments. However, knowledge on sources, fate and environmental concentration over time and space still is limited due to the laborious and varied analytical procedures currently used. In this work we critically review the methods currently used for sampling and detection of microplastics, identifying flaws in study design and suggesting promising alternatives. This work provides insights on bulk sample collection, separation, digestion, identification and quantification, and mitigation of cross-contamination. The sampling of microplastics will improve in representativeness and reproducibility through the determination of bulk sample volume, filter's pore size, density separation and digestion solutions, but also through use of novel methods, such as the enhancement of visual identification by staining dyes, and the generalized use of chemical characterization.
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Keywords:
Analytical Procedure; Analytical Procedures; Bulk Density; Chemical Characterization; Contamination; Cross Contamination; Environmental Compartment; Environmental Concentration; Enzyme Assisted Extraction; FTIR; Filtration; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy; Limit Of Quantitation; Microplastic; Microplastics; Plastic; Pore Size; Priority Journal; Raman Spectrometry; Raman Spectroscopy; Reproducibility; Review; Sampling Of Microplastics; Sediment; Size Separation; Sludge Digestion; Staining; Staining Dyes; Unclassified Drug; Visual Identification; Water; Water Sampling; Global